Elegant, grand and extraordinarily polished, Hôtel des Trois Couronnes is a luxury spa hotel perfectly enthroned on the shores of the Lac Leman. With views spanning the crystalline waters of the Swiss Riviera and beyond, this intimate lakeside palace offers 71 sumptuous rooms, a renowned restaurant and spa, and has been the choice of royalty for more than 150 years.
Ground floor hallway © ElevatedLiving
What’s the story?
Built in 1842 along the waterfront in Vevey, Hôtel des Trois Couronne’s creation is down to hotelier Gabriel Monnet, who bought the former Château de Belles Trushes, with the goal of transforming it into a luxurious lakeside hotel. Gabriel spared no expense, collaborating with Swiss architect Philipe Franel, who converted the 14th century building into a neoclassical palace.
Gifted with sublime views of the lake and Alps, and only a 10 minute drive from the UNSECO-listed Lavaux vineyards, the hotel has long served as a tranquil paradise for the rich and famous. For more than half a century, many illustrious visitors have passed through its doors, including the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna of Russia, King Ibn of Saudia Arabia and worldwide icon Charlie Chaplin, who himself fell in love with the region.
An engraving of Hôtel des Trois Couronnes in 1850 © Historical Museum of Vevey
How do you get there?
Few journeys can be more scenic than the one to Vevey, surrounded by glistening lake waters and alpine peaks. It takes around an hour’s drive or train ride from Geneva, with both journeys offering breathtaking views of the region.
For drivers in search of beautiful landscapes and sprawling vineyard scenery, follow the autoroute A9 until Chexbres, then exit and take the Route cantonale Vevey-Chexbres to the hotel, you won’t be disappointed. As the road winds down to Vevey, you’ll discover the natural beauty that makes up Lavaux.
Aerial view of Lavaux © The Leading Hotels of the World
What’s it like inside?
Past the neoclassical facade and a royal red stairway, you enter a world of refined 19th-century elegance and historical charm. The building retains many of its original features and an accompanying sense of grandeur, without being ostentatious. Imagine polished marble flooring, stately columns, stone-carved fountains and twinkling chandeliers, that validate this hotel’s grande dame status. Everywhere you turn there’s another room festooned with chandeliers and magnificent artwork, and it’s easy to see why guests such as the Russian imperial family and other royals came here.
Ground floor hallway © Hôtel des Trois Couronnes
How about the rooms?
From the entry-level rooms to the sprawling royal suites, there’s a wealth of elegance and poise, with crisp, unadorned beds accented by velvet arm chairs, antique tables, and fresh flowers everywhere you turn. Most of the 71 rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows or private terraces, allowing for unmatched views of the glistening lake water and Alps. The Royal Suite is a standalone room, with a charming private terrace overlooking the lake—breakfast here takes on a whole new meaning.
Junior Suite © Hôtel des Trois Couronnes
Junior Suite view © Hôtel des Trois Couronnes
Anywhere to eat and drink?
The hotel has two restaurants: Les Trois Couronnes, a Michelin starred restaurant serving gastronomic Alpine cuisine, and the more informal brasserie-style restaurant Le 3C. Les Trois Couronnes, a Louis XVI-style eatery, wows with its detailed frescos, Belle Époque chandeliers and panoramic views of the lake. Dinner here is served under the direction of chef Cecile Pnachaud, whose beautifully presented dishes, feature local, seasonal ingredients and are the basis of the hotel’s sustainable approach to reduce C02 emissions and save the environment.
“We source 80% of our products from the Alpine region, selecting locally grown foods all the way from the Swiss Alps to Trieste and Northern Italy ” explains Jay Gauer, the general manager of the hotel. This approach comes with a range of benefits for the environment, increasing the traceability of products and reducing the amount of fuels used in transportation.
Les Trois Couronnes restaurant © inVogue Geneva
How about the spa?
A serene haven of stone and neutrals, the Puressens Spa includes a 24-metre indoor pool, hot tub, steam room, sauna, fitness centre and relaxation room with magnificent views of the lake and Alps. Here, guests spend the day relaxing, enjoying seasonal cocktails and healthy menu options while planning their next spa treatment. There are a total of 7 treatment rooms, where guests can experience everything from Polynesian massages with Monoï oil, to detoxifying skin facials crafted by legendary French skincare guru, Joëlle Ciocco. Ciocco’s skincare treatments and products have been praised by celebrities around the world, and that’s why it makes all the more special that Puressens Spa is the first and only spa in the world offering them.
Swimming pool at Puressens Spa © Hôtel des Trois Couronnes
Relaxation room at Puressens Spa © Hôtel des Trois Couronnes
Anything else?
Upon arrival, the concierge hands its guests a curated card of what to see and do, from wine tasting and touring the Lavaux vineyards to visiting the world famous Chaplin’s World museum in Vevey. The card offers generous discounts on local activities and events, including a scenic boat cruise across the lake, passing by Vevey, Montreux and the Chateau de Chillon. The abundance of activities highlights the hotel’s desire to tap into the unique history and cultural richness of the region, while making their guests feel special.
“It doesn’t get much more like living la dolce vita than here” explains Jay Gauer. One of the most exciting periods to stay at the hotel, is during the Montreux Jazz Festival, when the nearby town hosts an internationally renowned music festival along the banks of the lake. The hotel offers guests a direct boat transfer to and from the festival, with a complimentary glass of champagne of course!
Final thoughts?
We really admire the hotel’s dedication to creating a familial atmosphere, where client’s enjoy a personalised experience from the moment they enter. The grand interior of the hotel is complimented by a warm and attentive service, we cannot praise it enough.
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